Monday, January 25, 2010

The Pope Called on Priests to use new communications technologies to 'spread the good word'. That means you could see a influx of clergymen trying their hand at social media. Next time you are in church the sermon might end with a "you can keep in touch with us on Facebook at / Twitter at / subscribe to our blog at ...". That may already be the case, and may have been for a while now, but the person running it may soon actually be the priest.

"The theme of this year’s World Communications Day - The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word – is meant to coincide with the Church’s celebration of the Year for Priests. It focuses attention on the important and sensitive pastoral area of digital communications, in which priests can discover new possibilities for carrying out their ministry to and for the Word of God. Church communities have always used the modern media for fostering communication, engagement with society, and, increasingly, for encouraging dialogue at a wider level. Yet the recent, explosive growth and greater social impact of these media make them all the more important for a fruitful priestly ministry."